Poker game variation with option card

ABSTRACT

A method of playing a modified poker game comprises multiple deals. Each deal comprises the steps of (a) dealing a predetermined number of hole cards to each player face down; (b) dealing a predetermined number of community cards face up; (c) allowing each player the option of receiving an option card, either a face up option card or as a face down option card; (d) assembling the best poker hand of each player from a predetermined number of the face down cards available to that player and a predetermined number of the face up cards available to that player; and (e) declaring the player with the best poker hand assembled in step (d) as the winner of that hand.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to card games and, more specifically,to poker style games.

BACKGROUND

Poker style games have been extremely popular for hundreds of years.Recently, poker style games have been adapted for use in sponsoredtournaments, casinos and on the Internet.

There remains a constant need for poker style games which are even moreinteresting and exciting than prior art poker style games and whichencourage gamblers to play in funded tournaments, casinos and on theInternet.

SUMMARY

The invention satisfies this need. The invention is a method of playinga modified poker game using a standard deck of playing cards. The cardgame typically comprises multiple deals. Each deal comprises the stepsof (a) dealing a predetermined number of hole cards to each play facedown; (b) dealing a predetermined number of community cards face up; (c)allowing each player the option of receiving an option card; (d)allowing each player receiving an option card in step (c) to receive theoption card as a face up option card or as a face down option card; (e)assembling the best poker hand of each player from a predeterminednumber of the face down cards available to that player and apredetermined number of the face up cards available to that player, theface down cards available to each player being that player's hole cardsand any face down option card possessed by that player, the face upcards available to each player being the community cards and any face upoption card possessed by that player; and (f) declaring the player withthe best poker hand assembled in step (e) as the winner of that hand.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a poker table useable in one embodiment of theinvention; and

FIG. 2 is a plan view of another poker table useable in a secondembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of theinvention and several variations of that embodiment. This discussionshould not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to thoseparticular embodiments. Practitioners skilled in the art will recognizenumerous other embodiments as well.

The invention is a method of playing a modified poker game. The methoduses a standard deck of playing cards having the traditional four suits(clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades) and 13 cards within each suit (2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace). The game comprises atleast one deal, typically a plurality of individual deals.

Each deal comprises the steps of (a) dealing a predetermined number ofhole cards to each player face down; (b) dealing a predetermined numberof community cards face up; (c) allowing each player the option ofreceiving an option card; (d) allowing each player receiving an optioncard in step (c) to receive the option card as a face up option card oras a face down option card; (e) assembling the best poker hand of eachplayer from a predetermined number of the face down cards available tothat player and from a predetermined number of the face up cardsavailable to that player, the face down cards available to each playerbeing that player's hole cards and any face down option card possessedby that player, the face up cards available to each player being thecommunity cards and any face up option card possessed by that player;and (f) declaring the player with the best poker hand assembled in step(e) as the winner of that hand.

In a typical embodiment, the predetermined number of hole cards dealtface down in step (a) is two and the predetermined number of communitycards dealt face up in step (b) is six.

Also in a typical embodiment, the predetermined number of face downavailable to each player in step (e) is two and the predetermined numberof face up cards available to each player in step (e) is three. Thus, insuch a typical embodiment, each player must assemble his or her bestpoker hand using two face down cards and three face up cards.

Typically, the hole cards are dealt first, and each player is thereafterallowed to bet for a first time. Throughout the deal, when a player isallowed the opportunity to bet, he or she may check, bet, raise, call orfold.

After the hole cards are dealt, the community cards are dealt.Typically, the dealing of community cards in step (b) is accomplished byplacing two cards face up on the table at three different times duringthe course of the deal. Each placement of two cards on the table istypically termed a “flop.” Accordingly, the six community cards dealtface up in step (b) are dealt in a first flop of two cards, a secondflop of two cards and a third card of two flops. Typically, each playeris allowed to bet again after each of the three flops.

Typically, the steps of allowing each player the option of receiving anoption card in step (c) and allowing each player receiving an optioncard to receive the option card as a face up option card or a face downoption card in step (d) is conducted between the second flop and thethird flop. In one embodiment of the invention, each player indicateshis or her preference for a face up option card or a face down optioncard by use of an option card button having the word “up” on one sideand the word “down” on the opposite side.

Typically, a player receiving an option card must pay a predeterminedamount for that option card.

Prior to the initial dealing of the cards in each deal, all players maybe required to ante a predetermined ante amount. In one embodiment ofthe invention, however, only the two players immediately to the left ofthe dealer must ante. In such embodiment, the player immediately to theleft of the dealer must ante a predetermined small blind amount and theplayer immediately to the left of the player who must ante the smallblind amount must ante a large blind amount. The large blind amount isgreater than the small blind amount. In other embodiments, all of theother players in the game may be required to ante a predetermined basicante amount which is less than the small blind amount.

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical seating arrangement for 10 playerspracticing the method of the invention in a typical game situation,including in a typical game situation organized in a poker tournament.FIG. 1 illustrates a table wherein players are practicing the invention,as the table might look after a third flop is dealt.

In a typical game situation, the players take turns acting as dealer.Usually, the designated dealer rotates one position around the table atthe beginning of each deal.

In situations where a poker tournament is sponsored by a sponsoringentity, the sponsoring entity or “house” rakes in a portion of the chipsproffered during each deal. Typically, the house rake is similar to therake in prior art holdem poker game tournaments. In one embodiment ofthe present invention, the house also rakes in the amounts paid for alloption cards or a predetermined percentage of the amount paid for alloption cards.

The method of the invention can also be adapted for use in a casinosituation wherein each player is only playing against the house. FIG. 2illustrates a typical seating arrangement for seven players at a casinotable practicing the method of the invention.

In a casino situation, the deal of the cards is identical to that for atournament situation embodiment of the invention with the exception thatthe dealer does not expose his or her option card until after the lastflop has taken place and all of the players have made their final bets.Even where the dealer eventually decides to use his or her option cardas a face up option card, the dealer's option card is not exposed untilafter all of the betting is completed.

In a casino situation using a table such as illustrated in FIG. 2, aplayer must make an initial ante bet using the “ANTE BET” circle at hisor her station. He or she may also be obligated to make an initial blindbet using the “BLIND BET” circle at his or her station.

Also referring to FIG. 2, during the course of the hand, each player canoptionally make his or her one or more bets using the “BET 1,” the “BET2,” the “BET 3” and “PLAY” circles located at his or her station. If aplayer does not make a final “play” bet, he or she must fold.

Players using a table similar to that illustrated in FIG. 2 place thepurchase price for option card in the “BUY MONEY” circle. In a typicalembodiment, the cost of an option card is 110% of the ante bet.

In one embodiment of a casino situation, for the player to win the antebet, BET 1, BET 2, BET 3 or PLAY bet, he or she must beat the dealer'shand. Typically, each of these bets pays even money. For the player towin the blind bet, he or she must have a flush or better. If the playerbeats the dealer with less than a flush, the blind bet is won by thehouse. The player having a flush or better does not automatically winthe blind bet, the player having a flush or better must also beat thedealer's hand.

In another embodiment of the method when played in a casino situation,the players may make a “straight or better” bet. Typically, a straightor better bet must be equal to or greater than the ante bet and theblind bet. When using the table illustrated in FIG. 2, the players'straight or better bet is placed in the “STRAIGHT OR BETTER” circle.Such straight or better bet can be won by a player simply by having astraight or better, even if he or she ties with the dealer or loses tothe dealer.

In typical embodiments, in case of a tie, all bets push except thestraight or better bet, unless the tie hand is a straight or better.

Payouts to each winner may optionally also be increased based upon thestrength of a player's hand. For example, a player winning a blind betwith four of a kind may be rewarded with a payout equaling eight timeshis or her blind bet. Also, for a straight or better, a player winningthat bet with a flush might be awarded a payout four times his or herstraight or better bet. A wide variety of other payout schemes can alsobe used in the method of the invention. An example of one payout schemeis as follows: BLIND PAYOUTS STRAIGHT PAYOUTS Royal 200-1  Royal 64-1Straight Flush 40-1  Straight Flush 36-1 Four of a kind 8-1 Four of akind 27-1 Full House 2-1 Full House  5-1 Flush 1-1 Flush  4-1 Straight 2-1 Play Bet Maximums After hole cards dealt 1-2-3-4 times the anteAfter the first flop 1-2 times the ante After the second flop 1 timesthe ante After the third flop 1 times the ante

EXAMPLE

In an exemplary deal in an embodiment of the method in a tournamentsituation, 10 players are assumed to be in the game, Player No. 1 beingthe first person to the left of the dealer, Player No. 2 being thesecond person to the left of the dealer, etc. The dealer is Player No.10. The number of hole cards is two, the number of community cards issix, the number of face down cards available to each player is two andthe number of face up cards available to each player is three.

In this exemplary deal, Player No. 1 is requested to ante a small blindand Player No. 2 is requested to ante a large blind. The large blind islarger than the small blind.

Next, each player is dealt a pair of hole cards face down. Thereafter,each player is allowed to bet.

After the initial round of betting, the dealer deals a first flop of twocards face up. The cards in the first flop are the ace of spades and thefour of hearts. Thereafter, each player is given a second opportunity tobet.

After the second round of betting, the dealer deals a second flop of twocards, face up. The cards in the second flop are the king of clubs andthe three of spades. Thereafter, each player is allowed to bet a thirdtime.

After the third round of betting, Player Nos. 3, 5, 6, 8 and 10 havefolded. The players remaining in the game are Player Nos. 1, 2, 4, 7 and9.

Each player is then given the opportunity to buy an option card. Each ofthe players remaining in the game opts to purchase such an option card.

Player No. 1 has an ace of clubs and an ace of diamonds in the hole.Since the face down cards available to each player are only two, PlayerNo. 1 opts to take his option card face up.

Player No. 2 has the two of spades and the five of spades in the hole.He already has an ace through five straight. Player No. 2 opts to takehis option card face up in order to possibly improve his hand to aflush.

Player No. 4 has the king of hearts and the ten of clubs in the hole. Hedecides to use these two hole cards in his final hand. Accordingly, herequests that his option card be dealt him face up.

Player No. 7 has the ace of hearts and the queen of hearts in the hole.He decides to take his option card face up.

Player No. 9 ninth player has the five of diamonds and the ten of clubsin the hole. He decides to work with only one of his two hole cards.Accordingly, Player No. 9 requests that his option card be dealt to himface down.

After each of the option cards is dealt, the dealer deals the third flopface up. The third flop is the jack of hearts and the three of spades.After this third flop is dealt, each of the players is given theopportunity to bet one final time.

After this fourth and final round of betting, the players use two of theface down cards available to them and three of the face up cardsavailable to them to make up their best possible poker hand. The firstplayer can make a full house, aces over threes. The second player canmake a six high straight. The fourth player can make two pair, kings andthrees. The seventh player can make an ace high flush and the ninthplayer can make two pair, jacks and threes.

Player No. 1 is declared the winner, because he can create the highestpoker hand. As the winner, the first player wins all of the chips antedor bet during the course of the deal.

The invention provides a new and exciting poker game variation, onewhich maintains the interests of players over a long period of time andencourages those players to continue to gamble for long periods of time.

Having thus described the invention, it should be apparent that numerousstructural modifications and adaptations may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the scope and fair meaning of the instant invention asset forth hereinabove.

1. A method of playing a modified poker card game using a standard deck of playing cards, the card game comprising at least one deal, the deal comprising the steps of: (a) dealing a predetermined number of hole cards to each player face down; (b) dealing a predetermined number of community cards face up; (c) allowing each player the option of receiving an option card; (d) allowing each player receiving an option card in step (c) to receive the option card as a face up option card or as a face down option card; (e) assembling the best poker hand of each player from a predetermined number of the face down cards available to that player and from a predetermined number of the face up cards available to that player, the face down cards available to each player being that player's hole cards and any face down option card possessed by that player, the face up cards available to each player being the community cards and any face up option card possessed by that player; and (f) declaring the player with the best poker hand assembled in step (e) as the winner of that hand.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined number of hole cards dealt face down in step (a) is two and the predetermined number of community cards dealt face up in step (b) is six.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined number of face down cards available to each player in step (e) is two and the predetermined number of face up cards available to each player in step (e) is three.
 4. The method of claim 2 wherein the dealing of community cards in step (b) is accomplished by placing two cards face up on the table at three different times during the course of the deal, in a first flop, in a second flop and in a third flop.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the dealing of a predetermined number of hole cards to each player in step (a) is accomplished prior to the dealing of community cards in step (b).
 6. The method of claim 4 wherein each player is allowed to bet before the first flop and again after each of the three flops.
 7. The method of claim 4 wherein the steps of allowing each player the option of receiving an option card in step (c) and allowing each player receiving an option card to receive the option card as a face up option card or a face down option card in step (d) is conducted between the second flop and the third flop.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein each player receiving an option card must pay a predetermined amount for that option card.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein, prior to the initial dealing of the cards, the player immediately to the left of the dealer must ante a predetermined small blind amount and the player immediately to the left of the player who must ante the small blind amount must ante a large blind amount, the large blind amount being greater than the small blind amount.
 10. A method of playing a modified poker card game using a standard deck of playing cards, the card game comprising at least one deal, the deal comprising the steps of: (a) dealing two hole cards to each player face down; (b) allowing each person to bet; (c) dealing a first flop of two community cards face up; (d) allowing each person to bet; (e) dealing a second flop of two community cards face up; (f) allowing each person to bet; (g) allowing each player the option of purchasing an option card; (h) allowing each player purchasing an option card in step (g) to receive the option card as a face up option card or as a face down option card; (i) dealing a third flop of two community cards face up; (j) allowing each person to bet; (k) assembling the best poker hand of each player from two of the face down cards available to that player and from three of the face up cards available to that player, the face down cards available to each player being that player's hole cards and any face down option card possessed by that player, the face up cards available to each player being the community cards and any face up option card possessed by that player; and (l) declaring the player with the best poker hand assembled in step (k) as the winner of that hand.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein, prior to the initial dealing of the cards, the player immediately to the left of the dealer must ante a predetermined small blind amount and the player immediately to the left of the player who must ante the small blind amount must ante a large blind amount, the large blind amount being greater than the small blind amount. 